Background: Abnormal hematological indices (HI) are common in cirrhosis from hepatitis C virus (HCV). Eradication of HCV may ameliorate these abnormalities. The objectives of the current study were to assess whether HI improve with HCV eradication and whether they can predict prognosis in patients with cirrhosis during and after completion of antiviral therapy.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 153 patients with HCV cirrhosis treated with Peg-interferon and ribavirin was conducted. The primary endpoint was improvement in HI after successful antiviral therapy. The secondary outcome was clinical decompensation during and after completion of antiviral therapy and association with HI. A repeated measures 2-way ANOVA was performed to compare means. Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of clinical decompensation.
Results: One hundred fifty three patients met study criteria. The rate of sustained virological rate was 26%. Median follow-up was 55 months. Platelet and WBC counts improved with HCV eradication compared to those in whom treatment was unsuccessful (p < 0.05). On univariate analysis, the presence of thrombocytopenia was associated clinical decompensation prior to, on treatment and after completion of therapy. Thrombocytopenia (OR 14.8, p-value <0.001) after completing treatment predicted clinical decompensation when controlled for albumin, MELD and age in multivariate analysis at 6 months after completion of therapy.
Conclusions: Platelet and leukocyte counts improve in patients with cirrhosis who respond to antiviral therapy against HCV. The presence of thrombocytopenia predicts decompensation on treatment and after completion of therapy.